Since 1985 the month of October has been designated National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, and the week of October 8 begins the noted Red Ribbon Campaign. This is a month-long observance focusing on the role substance abuse prevention plays in promoting safe and healthy communities.
This month promotes activities and events and sheds light on the scope of substance abuse in America. The theme of the campaign this year is “Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free.”
With the recent disastrous events that have unfolded in our nation within the past few weeks; the mass murders that took place in Las Vegas, the terrible events of the recent hurricanes that played havoc across our states and territories; it is difficult for many to realize that we have a continuous disaster that is spread across our nation…taking many lives and destroying families and our way of life…Drug Abuse.
Substance abuse, which includes illicit chemical abuse, underage drinking, non-medical use of prescription medication, and the abuse of over-the-counter medications; effects the well-being and health of people of our nation at all age groups. It is a most pressing problem faced throughout the world, in which millions of lives have been lost in its wake.
National Campaigns to educate our youth about substance abuse did not begin in this country until the early 1980’s. First Lady Nancy Reagan initiated the “Just Say No to Drugs” campaign, which was a fore-runner of contemporary programs of substance abuse prevention.
Perhaps no campaign for drug prevention has received as much attention as the Red Ribbon Campaign, which began in 1985 after the brutal terroristic murder in Mexico of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
On February 7, 1985, the 37-year-old agent, while working undercover in the Drug War, went missing. He was later found in a shallow grave…he had been tortured to death. His death sparked renewed resolve for drug abuse prevention and the Red Ribbon Campaign, as people began wearing red satin ribbons in his honor and remembrance.
Red Ribbon Week this year from October 8-14. According to their website, www.redribbon.org, the week “serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to life drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of a drug free America.”
The prevalence of underage drinking and illicit substance use in our country remains widespread in our society, affecting all ethnicities, ages, and status. There are very few families in America today that have not known a family member or friend who has not been affected by substance abuse in a negative way.
To put some of the numbers in perspective: an estimated 10 million people aged 12 to 20 have consumed alcohol in the past month.
Approximately 23 million Americans are current illicit drug uses. Marijuana use and use and abuse of prescription medications remain the most common types of drug use in America (not counting alcohol use).
The Opioid epidemic continues to plague our Nation. Close to 20 million Americans are experiencing alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Alcohol still remains a factor in almost half of all traffic fatalities. The cost of substance abuse is extremely high, both in human lives and suffering.
The economic cost to our community, state, and nation; in loss of jobs, court costs, etc. runs into the many Billions of dollars. There is not one community in our state or in our nation that has not felt the negative effects of substance abuse and dependency.
Despite all of the above information substance abuse and dependency still ranks in the top ten societal problems facing our young people today.
During this Red Ribbon Campaign, and the month long event of Drug Abuse Prevention Month, it is important that our community become involved in this most important effort to bring about enlightened awareness to our youth on the facts concerning the abuse of alcohol and other chemical substances.
Information should not be limited to the schools; parents need to discuss substance abuse issues with their children. Civic organizations our excellent vehicles for disseminating information, as well as churches and other organizations.
I suggest that it is sad that our nation, state, and communities need a special month for substance abuse prevention efforts; that it is a subject that should be on our minds and in our hearts throughout the year; despite all of the other disastrous events that have unfolded in our Nation. We really need to reflect on this most serious of problems facing our youth. Our youth need to learn the truths about this most pressing problem. But most of all it takes resolve on the part of each of us to become involved at some level to bring about awareness.
I often fall back to a quote of one of my Air Force Commanders, General “Chappie” James, who once said, “If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem!”
Substance Abuse affects all of us. Become involved in the prevention efforts of schools, our community, state, and nation. It is such a rewarding enterprise. And remember to stay healthy my friends!
